The Opelousas courier., 1887-03-26

How This Common Malady
May be Kept Away
An Experts Advice as to Dietary and
Other Treatment to be Followed

II is scarcely too much to say that
nearly every person inclined to rheuma
tism, but as yet free from chronic
changes in the joints and muscles, can.
by proper conduct, entirely overcome
the defect and never experience a re
%currence of the disease. It will be nee
essary for him to first correct all abuses
that is, overcome all habits which he
knows to be pernicious in the slightesI
degree. Then let him study and con
form to the laws Of hygiene, both gene
raj and personal. This advice may be
rather too sweeping and there is need
to particularjze. A subject to rheuma'
tism should secure q healthy habitation.
His house should be in the country, oil
in a district but sparsely settled, located
on rising ground, perfectly drained, in
pure air, and accessible to sunlight, Per-
feet ventilation is at all times essential,
and the means of heating should be suf-
fcient TO permit it. To promote a health
thy action, of the skin is of infinite i'm
portance. Every morning on rising the
subject should take a cold sponge bath,
after which he should be rubbed down
with coarse towels until his skin is in a
glow. This will not only keep it in
good tone, and the pores properly
opened, but it will invigorate the entire
system, nervous as we'll as circulatory,
and will also render him less liable to
take cold.
Certain dietetic restrictions are imper-
alive. Fries and stews are forbidden;
the. same may be said of salads and all
articles of food rich in fats. Pastry is
also interdieted; in fact, nothing should
be eaten which is in any degree burden
some to the digestive organs. Subjects
to rheumatism are as a rule inclined to
bilious and suffer from indigestion; to
guard against these disorders the food
should be OF the simplest character, con-
centrated, and yet nutritious. If one
does not feel the denial of tea and coffee
too great a hardship, they should dis
pense with them, and drink instead, for
breakfast, milk or cocoa; that is if they
are we'll borne. At that meal, toast or
coarse bread, such as brown bread, is to
be preferred, and butter may be used.
but not too generously. Oatmeal may
very properly be the first dish partaken
Of. Eggs act differently on different
people; for those who bear them we'll
they are indicated, either poached,
dropped or lightly boi.ed. Easily di-
gested fish may be included in the first
meal. Bacon is the least Objectionable
of all salted meats, and its occasional
use can do no harm; what fresh meat
is eaten daily should be taken at the
midday meal. Long fasting is INJURIOUS
for all p~redisposei to rheumatism. Tt is,
therefore, advised that dinner be taken be-
tween IL and 1 O'clock. If hunger is
felt in the afternoon, a cracker and a
glass of plain soda, s'ar, or other mildly
alkaline waters, will satisfy its cravings.
1t is important to remember that the
daily quantity of meat needed by a per-
son in health, who lives on a mixed diet,
is three-quarters of a pound; those in
clined to rheumatism, should never in
dulge more literally. At dinner it will
be well to forego soup, as it is apt to
'fsour or the stomach" Within the
limits stated meats may he taken, and
preference is to be given to those which
are easy of digestion. If one loves fish,
he might well make it the principal din
ner dish. In selecting vegetables, again
digestion is to be considered, and only
those which are we'll borne on the stomach
are to be INDUCED. Lemonade for. din
ner is a pleasing drink; all malt or alco.
holic liquors are forbidden. Instead Of
boiled rice, pread, tapioca, or
other buildings equally as light may be
partaken of, and a small quantity of
fruit Is acceptable. Nuts and cheese can
not be allowed. Aperson who enters upon
This dietetic regimen feels faint aud the
need of food late in the afternoon, he
will find a biscuit and a glass of Apollin-
iris or Star water sufficient. As is the
usual custom in this country, supper be-
,ween six and seven is the proper time.
i should be light, berries and milk in
summer, and a few raw oysters in the
months. Those who are welded
tea may take one cupful if weak, but
would be better. Toast, rusks or
light biscuits and a little fruit can be in
lulged in to satisfy any reasonable appe-
lite. Cakes and sauces should not enter
he diet. Eat slowly and masticate all
God well. II hungry at bedtime a glass
# milk will be all that is needed.
It is possible only to barely outline the
lietetic treatment which a subject to
should pursue. The rule +
hould be to carefully avoid all sub
tances which are at all likely to cause ,
Indigestion, as that is a potent con- /
ributing cause Of rheumatic affections.
nd also to exclude from diet both food
nd drinks which are likely to cause an !.
xcess in the blood Of that acid constitu-